Feb. 16, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A seventh-inning blast from sophomore shortstop Lindsay Walker was not enough, as the Gamecocks dropped a close 2-1 decision to No. 9 Oklahoma on Saturday morning at Eller Media Stadium to start day two of the UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. The Gamecocks fall to 3-6 on the season, while the Sooners move to 7-2.
Walker’s home run came with one down in the seventh, as she crushed a 2-1 pitch from Sooner starter Lauren Eckermann (3-2) over the wall in left center. After that, Oklahoma went to the pen and brought in D.J. Mathis, who picked up the save after getting the last two outs.
Oklahoma struck first when pinch runner Iver McDonald raced home from second on Jessica Legendre’s single to left. McDonald checked in for designated player Wendy Trott, who got on first to start the inning when Jacqueline Wetherbee couldn’t handle the ground ball off the hard dirt on the UNLV campus.
The Crimson and Cream got the eventual winning run in the sixth after Legendre drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk, plating pinch runner Dani Dobbs.
The Gamecocks had a chance in the sixth, getting a lead-off runner on when Ashton Payne singled to center. She was forced off on Lisa Longo’s fielder’s choice. Longo moved to second on Semento’s sacrifice. Pinch-hitter Laura Mendes drew a two-out walk, but Eckermann buckled down and got Becky Martinez to fly out to center to end the threat.
The Gamecocks left just five runners on, as Eckermann kept the squad off-balance at the plate most of the game. She went 6.1 innings and gave up four hits and two walks, one earned run while striking out four. Krystle Robinson got the tough-luck loss after giving up two runs, one earned, while scattering three hits and three walks through 5.1 innings. Robinson struck out four.
